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Ministry of Defence site is knocked down for new estate

The giant claw rips apart one of the last pieces of evidence that the Ministry of Defence were based at Foxhill in Bath for around 70 years Credit: ITV News

The final stages of one of the West's biggest demolition jobs should be completed this week.

Bob Constantine has been checking progress on the former Ministry of Defence site at Foxhill in Bath, where 48 acres of disused offices are being cleared to make way for new housing.

These buildings used to house security for the MoD base have already been demolished Credit: ITV News

Part of the scheme is controversial because the developers - the social housing association Curo - also want to knock part of a neighbouring housing estate.

Although it owns most of the buildings, some have been bought by former tenants, who are now in talks about how they'll be compensated. One told us she was prepared to "dig her heels in" if Curo didn't offer a suitable alternative.

What I would prefer is a swap of properties - if they want to knock this one down, they would replace it with something else that I like.

They would probably quite like to buy it off me but the market price won't allow me to buy another house and I don't want to get a mortgage now.

I walk to work, like my garden, so I will dig my heels in until we come to an arrangement we are both happy with!

– Nola Edwards, Foxhill resident

The masterplan for the former Foxhill estate and MoD base Credit: Curo

The new development will be called Mulberry Park, in honour of D-Day Mulberry harbours, which were designed at the MoD in Bath.

As well as 700 homes - either for sale or rent, Curo is promising a new school, shops and community centre.

This is perhaps one of the best pieces of land in the south west. It has tremendous opportunities and we're really excited to do something special with it, bringing in new retail, new housing a new school - a new linear park, a new way of connecting to the city.

– Victor da Cunha, Chief Exec, Curo

Curo's plans for the former council estate and MoD base seem idyllic - this is described as the woodland walk Credit: Curo